A Critical Review of "Wonder Woman and the Curse of the Underworld"
In this review, we'll examine the comic book series "Wonder Woman and the Curse of the Underworld" (2019) by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Luca Savi. Our goal is to provide a helpful and balanced assessment of the series' strengths and weaknesses, analyzing its storytelling, character development, art style, and themes.
Storyline Analysis
The story takes place after the events of "The Circle" and sees Wonder Woman facing a new challenge as Hades, the Greek god of the underworld, has grown tired of being confined to his realm. He escapes and begins to wreak havoc on the mortal world, leading to a confrontation with Wonder Woman. The plot is engaging, with a good balance of action, drama, and humor. However, some readers may find the pacing a bit rushed, particularly in the first few issues.
Character Development
One of the standout aspects of this series is the character development. Wonder Woman is, as always, a compelling and complex character, and Bendis does a great job of exploring her personality and motivations. The supporting cast, including Etta Candy and the gods of Olympus, are also well-handled. The characterization of Hades is particularly noteworthy, as Bendis humanizes him and makes him a more nuanced villain.
Art and Visuals
The art by Luca Savi is stunning, with a beautiful blend of traditional and digital media. The action scenes are dynamic and well-choreographed, and the character designs are fantastic. Savi's depiction of the Underworld and its various denizens is also noteworthy, bringing the mythological world to life in a vivid and imaginative way.
Themes and Tone
The series explores some interesting themes, including the consequences of playing with forces beyond one's control and the nature of power and responsibility. The tone is generally lighter than some of Bendis' other work, with a more humorous and adventurous feel. However, the story also tackles some darker themes, such as the consequences of Hades' actions and the moral implications of Wonder Woman's decisions.
Conclusion
Overall, "Wonder Woman and the Curse of the Underworld" is a fun and engaging series that is sure to appeal to fans of the Amazonian princess. While it may have some minor flaws, the story is well-paced, the characters are well-developed, and the art is fantastic. If you're looking for a lighthearted and action-packed Wonder Woman adventure, this series is definitely worth checking out.
Recommendation
Based on our analysis, we recommend "Wonder Woman and the Curse of the Underworld" to fans of Wonder Woman comics, Greek mythology, and superhero adventures. The series is a great introduction to the character and the mythological world, and its themes and tone make it accessible to a wide range of readers. However, readers who prefer more complex or nuanced storytelling may find the series lacking in depth.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Recommendation for: Fans of Wonder Woman comics, Greek mythology, and superhero adventures.
Not recommended for: Readers who prefer more complex or nuanced storytelling.
The phrase "Wonder Woman: Curse of the Underworld" primarily refers to a specific, action-packed storyline found in the Wonder Woman Adventures series, most notably detailed in the middle-grade novel Diana and the Underworld Odyssey by Aisha Saeed. Plot Summary
In this adventure, Wonder Woman returns to her home island of Themyscira only to find it under a terrifying siege. Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, has unleashed a legion of undead soldiers upon the Amazons. The "curse" involves the disappearance of children across the world, and Diana is the only one who can venture into the realm of the dead to save them. To succeed, she must:
Confront Mythical Horrors: Diana faces off against Hades, Persephone, and various undead souls.
Complete Warrior Training: Despite her training being barely underway, she must rely on her inner strength to survive the trip.
Break the Curse: She must outmaneuver a "sinister villain" intent on capturing her forever within the Underworld. Key Themes
The Struggle of Peace vs. War: While Hades is a primary antagonist in this arc, the story echoes Diana's eternal struggle against figures like Ares, the God of War.
Sacrifice and Choice: Similar to other "Underworld" narratives in DC history, Diana often has to make difficult choices to secure her freedom, such as accepting partial bondage by eating a pomegranate seed—a nod to the Persephone myth. Notable Versions and Similar Stories
While the Adventures book is the most direct match for the "Curse of the Underworld" title, the theme appears across several DC iterations: wonder woman curse of the underworld
Absolute Wonder Woman (2024–2025): A darker reimagining where Diana is raised by Circe in a hellish wasteland and is known as the "daughter of the underworld". This version features her riding a skeletal Pegasus and using a blood-red "Lasso of Nemesis". The Heart of Hades (2018)
: Another middle-grade story by Laurie S. Sutton where Wonder Woman must rescue a kidnapped friend from Hades' realm. Wonder Woman: Curse of the Underworld
Wonder Woman: Curse of the Underworld is a nostalgic action-adventure web game originally released on the Cartoon Network Arcade. It is based on the Justice League animated series and focuses on Diana’s quest to save Themyscira from Hades. Gameplay Overview
Combat: Players control Wonder Woman as she battles through levels filled with Hades' legion of undead soldiers.
Objective: The game culminates in a boss fight against Hades himself.
Mechanics: Players must balance attacking with movement, as Hades teleports quickly, making blocking unreliable. Critical Reception & Legacy
While not a major console title, the game is remembered fondly as a high-quality example of early 2000s browser-based games.
Graphics & Animation: Reviewers note that for its time, the animation was "top-notch" and the action was well-staged, capturing the "epic saga" feel of the show.
Preservation: Since the phasing out of Adobe Flash and Shockwave, the game has been preserved by projects like BlueMaxima's Flashpoint.
Watch gameplay footage and a walkthrough of the Hades boss fight in this classic Cartoon Network title: Ye Olde CN Games - Wonder Woman: Curse of the Underworld Henry the Potatohead YouTube• May 27, 2019 AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more Non-Review Review: Wonder Woman - the m0vie blog
When the gates of Tartarus shatter, releasing a plague of ancient, forgotten gods upon the mortal world, Wonder Woman must descend into the deepest pits of the Greek Underworld. But to seal the breach, she must face a curse that predates the Amazons themselves—a corruption that threatens to turn Diana’s own strength against her.
If you want to experience this storyline, here is the canonical reading order: A Critical Review of "Wonder Woman and the
The storyline is also collected in the trade paperback Wonder Woman: Curse of the Underworld (ISBN 978-1401289672). For the full context, read Dark Nights: Metal #1-4 first, though it is not strictly necessary.
For those who prefer audio, the DC Graphic Audio adaptation (released 2022) features a full cast and sound design that mimics the dripping water of the Underworld. It is a haunting listen.
The genius of "Wonder Woman: Curse of the Underworld" is that Diana does not leave the same person. She returns to the living world with grey streaks in her hair (a permanent visual change lasting twelve issues) and a lasso that now glows cold, icy blue instead of golden yellow.
Her return to Themyscira is heartbreaking. Her mother, Hippolyta, cannot touch her for three days because Diana is coated in the Stain of Hades—a metaphysical residue that causes living plants to wither. Diana realizes that to protect the world of the living, she must carry a piece of the dead with her forever.
This arc directly leads to the Justice League: Dark run, where Wonder Woman becomes the bridge between the living and the dead, reluctantly accepting the new title "Queen of the Chtonic Veil." She no longer fears the Underworld; she pities it.
The story begins in modern-day Gateway City. Wonder Woman stops a brutal bank robbery by the terrorist organization Poison. During the fight, she shields a child from an explosion of a strange, viscous black vial—a vial stolen from a hidden tomb in Greece.
The vial contains the Essence of Erebos (the primordial god of darkness). Diana feels nothing at first. But that night, she touches her friend, Etta Candy. Etta immediately ages fifty years, crumbling into dust. Horrified, Diana realizes she now carries a curse: everything she touches—living or organic—dies or decays. Flowers wilt. Birds fall from the sky. Her Lasso of Truth burns her own hands.
The Amazonian healers are helpless. The Olympian Gods are silent (they have their own crisis: the Underworld is bleeding into the living world). Desperate, Diana learns from the witch Circe (reluctant ally) that the curse is a Paradox Curse—it can only be broken in the realm where death is law: the Underworld.
Diana must travel down, but she cannot touch anyone. She armors herself in Stygian silver (which suppresses her curse temporarily) and descends through the Gates of Hades.
The curse was not an accident. It was unleashed by King Minos (yes, the judge of the dead from Greek myth), who has grown bitter over millennia. Once a fair judge, he now believes that all heroes are hypocrites—they kill in war but are celebrated, while his own cursed history (the Minotaur, his dead son) was used as entertainment for the Gods.
Minos has stolen a fragment of Erebos’ power to create the Mortality Curse—he wants to force Diana to become Death incarnate, proving that no hero can resist the corruption of absolute power. He plans to use her as a weapon to overthrow Hades and unleash the dead upon the living.
Minos’s tragic motive: He genuinely believes death is the only truth. He offers Diana a choice: “Stop touching, stop saving. Become the reaper. It’s more honest than a warrior who pretends to love peace.” How to Read "Wonder Woman: Curse of the